The Punjab government on Tuesday refused to share the special investigation team (SIT) report on illegal mining in the state with the petitioner.

The Punjab government on Tuesday refused to share the special investigation team (SIT) report on illegal mining in the state with the petitioner.

During the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Punjab advocate general Ashok Aggarwal told the court, “The report should remain between the government and the court.”

Appearing for the petitioner, SK Bains argued that without having the SIT report, it would be difficult for him to argue in the case.

Following the submissions from both sides, the division bench of Ashutosh Mohunta later observed that the court would decide on the next date of hearing whether to give the report to the petitioner or not. The next date of hearing has been fixed for March 12, 2015.

During the hearing in May this year, the state government had admitted to the involvement of politicians and the police top brass in illegal mining. The report was submitted recently to the Punjab and Haryana high court by the SIT, headed by inspector general of police (IGP) Nirmal Singh Dhillon, which took around one year to investigate illegal mining in the state.

The SIT had been formed on the HC’s directions on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Chandigarh resident Gurbir Singh Pannu about rampant mining across Punjab reportedly causing a loss of Rs 10,000 crore a year to the public exchequer.